How the Global Financial Crisis and International Trade Affected Corporate Decisions?

This chapter, first, draws an overview of the theoretical and conceptual framework of corporate decisions in the global financial crisis (GFC) context. Then, it shows the connectedness of corporate finance and international trade. Finally, employing a rich dataset, this chapter assesses the impact of international trade as well as the GFC on corporate financial decisions, particularly cash holdings, debt financing, and dividend payouts over the period 2002-2016. The findings show that international trade significantly affects corporate decisions. Firms with higher trade countries have higher debt level but lower cash and dividends across the globe. During the GFC, the positive impact of trade on debt shifts to negative. Also, trade has a positive effect on both cash and debt in the aftermath of the GFC. Taken together, international trade as an institutional setting influences corporate decisions and its role on cash, debt, and dividend differ during and after the GFC.